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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire focus this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

After come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will need to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.